Abstract
Single-goal problems are the simplest class of decision problems. In this chapter, utility function and value function concepts are presented for the single-goal case, as well as the differences between these two approaches. We describe how normalisation of forest information can also be interpreted as a value function. We describe the concept of uncertainty and risk and the classical criteria of decision-making under risk or uncertainty. We also describe risk attitude and its relation to the utility function. We then describe and present comprehensible examples on how a single-variable utility function or value function is estimated and interpreted.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bell, D. E., & Farquhar, P. H. (1986). Perspectives on utility theory. Operations Research, 34, 179–183.
Butler, D., & Loomes, G. (1988). Decision difficulty and imprecise preferences. Acta Psychologica, 68, 183–196.
Cook, T. M., & Russell, R. A. (1981). Introduction to management science. Upper Saddle River: Englewood Cliffs, Prentice-Hall. 763 p.
Eilon, S. (1982). Control and utility. Omega, 10, 223–231.
Ishizaka, A., & Nemery, P. (2013). Multi-criteria decision analysis. Methods and software. Chichester: Wiley. 296 p.
Kainulainen, T., Leskinen, P., Korhonen, P. and Haara, A. 2007. A statistical approach to assess interval scale preferences in discrete choice problems. Manuscript
Kangas, J. (1992). Summary: Choosing the regeneration chain in a forest stand: A decision model based on multi-attribute utility theory. Joensuu: University of. Metsikön uudistamisketjun valinta – monitavoitteiseen hyötyteoriaan perustuva päätösanalyysimalli.
Kangas, J. (1994). Incorporating risk attitude into comparison of reforestation alternatives. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 9, 297–304.
Keeney, R. L., & Raiffa, H. (1976). Decisions with multiple objectives: Preferences and value tradeoffs. New York: Wiley. 569 p.
Kirkwood, C. G., & Sarin, R. K. (1985). Ranking with partial information: A method and an application. Operations Research, 33, 38–48.
Knowles, G. J. (1984). Some econometric problems in the measurement of utility. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 66, 505–510.
Lee, S. M., & Moore, L. J. (1975). Introduction to decision science. New York: Petrocelli/Charter. 589 p.
Leung, P. (1978). Sensitivity analysis of the effect of variations in the form and parameters of a multiattribute utility model: a survey. Behavioral Science, 23, 478–485.
Miller, D. W., & Starr, M. K. (1969). Executive decisions and operations research. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall. 607 p.
Sarin, R. K. (1982). Strength of preference and risky choice. Operations Research, 30, 982–997.
Sheng, C. L. (1989). Some quantitative concepts of value and utility from a utilitarian point of view. Theory and Decision, 26, 175–195.
von Neumann, J., & Morgestern, O. (1947). Theory of games and economic behaviour. New York: Wiley. 641 p.
von Winterfeldt, D., & Edwards, W. (1986). Decision analysis and behavioral research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Kangas, A., Kurttila, M., Hujala, T., Eyvindson, K., Kangas, J. (2015). Single-Criterion Problems. In: Decision Support for Forest Management. Managing Forest Ecosystems, vol 30. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23522-6_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23522-6_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-23521-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-23522-6
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)